Event Title

Presenter Information

Location

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Start Date

1-5-2014 9:00 AM

End Date

1-5-2014 10:00 AM

Project Type

Poster- Restricted to Campus Access

Description

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticides, due to high hand-mouth activity, the amount of time they spend outside, and their small body size to pesticide ratio. This vulnerability makes it very important to understand the health impacts of pesticides on children. Organophosphates are a concerning subset of pesticides because they are known neurotoxicants in high doses. Neurological impacts are particularly threatening to children as they can have long lived effects on a childs development. This project surveyed several extensive scientific studies and compiled data regarding the neurological impacts of organophosphate pesticides on children. This study also assessed current policies regarding organophosphate use and their efficacy on protecting vulnerable children. Several of the studies found links between high organophosphate exposure and stunted neurodevelopment in children; including lower levels of motor functioning, hand eye coordination, and delayed recall. However despite these established links the EPA does not require neurotoxicity testing on in-use pesticides.

Faculty Sponsor

Gail Carlson

Sponsoring Department

Colby College. Environmental Studies Program

CLAS Field of Study

Interdisciplinary Studies

Event Website

http://www.colby.edu/clas

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Downloads

Since August 14, 2015

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May 1st, 9:00 AMMay 1st, 10:00 AM

The Neurological Impacts of Children's Exposure to Organophosphates

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticides, due to high hand-mouth activity, the amount of time they spend outside, and their small body size to pesticide ratio. This vulnerability makes it very important to understand the health impacts of pesticides on children. Organophosphates are a concerning subset of pesticides because they are known neurotoxicants in high doses. Neurological impacts are particularly threatening to children as they can have long lived effects on a childs development. This project surveyed several extensive scientific studies and compiled data regarding the neurological impacts of organophosphate pesticides on children. This study also assessed current policies regarding organophosphate use and their efficacy on protecting vulnerable children. Several of the studies found links between high organophosphate exposure and stunted neurodevelopment in children; including lower levels of motor functioning, hand eye coordination, and delayed recall. However despite these established links the EPA does not require neurotoxicity testing on in-use pesticides.